Big Sky Fly Fishing has become Big Crowd Fly Fishing. Blue Ribbon trout waters are no longer a secret. Many Fly Guys have these wonderful waters on their bucket lists. Guides especially are hammering these once fantastic waters.
For most nonnative fly anglers, even crowded waters are acceptable because that’s what they are used to in their home waters. For residents and others, perhaps less crowded waters offer a more pleasant and less stressful day.
Here are some less crowded options.
Fly Fish a Lake Fly fishing open water is a different sport but can offer amazing fishing. You need a bigger/longer rod but the gulper, streamer, and dry fly fishing can be fabulous. You can find shorelines or use any boat to gain access. Quake Lake holds the next state brown trout record. Cliff and Wade Lakes are amazing. Hegben, Martinsdale, Canyon Ferry, Holter, Flathead, and Fort Peck lakes offer amazing fishing for a diversity of fish species without crowds.
Explore the tributaries of the well beaten waters. Trout can be found in many places. Stay below the high-water lines and explore.
Be adventurous and travel to less popular waters There are many little-known waters that can be targeted. Have you thought about the Yaak, Upper Flathead, or Kootenai Rivers? Do your homework.
Look into fishing the Parks. Yellowstone, Tetons, and Glacier National Parks offer wonderful fishing. Most tourists are sightseeing. There is no time, on a family trip,for fishing. There are many short hike in trips, well worth the effort.
Go Remote. Hike in fishing is not for everyone but allows access to lightly fished waters. Many great honey holes are just a few miles from an access. The waters in the Marshall Wilderness area are fat with fish.
Go Downstream. Just because most fly anglers target the upper 13 miles of the Bighorn River does not mean that the trout population ends at Mallards Rest. Float downstream and hang on. The lower Yellowstone, Missouri, and Bighorn offer big trout opportunities. You can trout fish along the Yellowstone all the way to Billings and beyond.
Fishing the waters around Headwaters Park allows you to target the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin Rivers from the same campsite. The fish population is not as dense, but the fishing pressure is way down. You will also find larger fish.
Go Upstream Drifting or wading along the upper Missouri River offers great water and few competing anglers. I have caught huge trout from Canyon Ferry upstream to Headwaters Park and never seen another angler during prime fly-fishing season.
Fish the Right bank upstream. Most fly anglers are right-handed. This means fishing on the left side of a watershed upstream is easier for them. They get snagged less when casting over the water. Learn to cast either side of the river or creek.
Go Private Some watersheds have no public access. A polite knock on the door may gain you great fishing opportunities. Spring Creeks may cost a rod fee, but the quality of the fishing can be worth it. If you are willing to pay $600 for a guided float trip, $100 a day is a bargain. The Blackfoot Reservation near Glacier Park, measures trout by the pound, not the inch.
Access Sites can be best! Most anglers that are drifting have yet to get hooked up at the first mile of their drift. At the final mile of a drift, they are thinking about a cold beer and dinner. These miles up and downstream are often the best fishing.
Time your Fishing. Most guide trips begin after breakfast and end before suppertime. Observe where the floating fleet is and fish where it’s not. For example, a popular seasonal Madison River guide trip is from Lyons Bridge to the Varney Bridge. It will take time for the drifters to get to the takeout. Fish the take outs first then travel to where they put in late. You can avoid the crowds.
Certain fishing is better early or later. Fishing can be best at night. Morning and evening hatches are different. Weather also can affect fishing. Adapt and adjust to where and when the crowds are lighter.
Find better fishing with better effort. You don’t have to pound the most popular waters to have the best fly-fishing experiences.
Montana Grant
